Media Release

A 16-year-old Kailua-Kona girl died Thursday (December 30) from injuries she received in an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) crash at the intersection of Pratt Road and Lokahi Road in Kapaau, North Kohala.

The victim was identified as Malia Vea, of a Kailua-Kona address.

Responding to a 1:18 p.m. call, North Kohala patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 2007 Kawasaki V Twin 750 ATV and traveling east on Pratt Road when she lost control, overturned and struck a pole.

The victim and her 11-year-old sister were transported to Kohala Hospital by Fire Rescue personnel.

The victim was pronounced dead at 2:11 p.m.

The 11-year-old girl was treated and released with minor injuries.

Another passenger, a 4-year-old girl from Kapaau was flown to the North Hawaii Community Hospital and later flown to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu in critical condition.

The girls were not wearing any type of protective equipment.

Police do not suspect any alcohol or drugs were involved but that speed was a factor in this crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner’s inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Being that this crash occurred on a private road the death is not counted towards the official traffic fatality count.